Latest Newshttp://newstimes.augusta.com/do/not/override/panel/taxonomy/term/7666/2
enMartinez home heavily damaged in afternoon firehttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-27/martinez-home-heavily-damaged-in-afternoon-fire
<p>A Martinez home was heavily damaged by fire Friday afternoon, Columbia County fire officials said.</p>
<p>Firefighters were called to the home at 406 Padrick Street in Martinez just after 3:30 p.m., when a resident of the home heard and explosion outside, according to Columbia County Battalion Chief Danny Kuhlmann.</p>
<p>Kuhlmann said the man found the home’s carport in flames and immediately called 911.</p>
<p>Firefighters had the blaze under control and extinguished a few minutes after arrival, but the three-bedroom home suffered heavy, fire smoke and water damage.</p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-27/martinez-home-heavily-damaged-in-afternoon-fire" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-27/martinez-home-heavily-damaged-in-afternoon-fire#commentsLatest NewsA MartinezColumbiaDanny KuhlmannFirefighterMan Made DisasterPerson CareerQuotationFri, 27 Mar 2015 20:35:44 +0000Staff25197 at http://newstimes.augusta.comKmart denies North Augusta closure; commission OKs plan to redevelop sitehttp://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-20/kmart-denies-north-augusta-closure-commission-oks-plan-to-redevelop-site
<p>Hours after Kmart officials denied “unsubstantiated rumors” that its North Augusta store is closing, city planning commissioners approved a preliminary site plan Thursday that seems to do just that if the property owners proceed with their plans.</p>
<p><a href="http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-20/kmart-denies-north-augusta-closure-commission-oks-plan-to-redevelop-site" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-20/kmart-denies-north-augusta-closure-commission-oks-plan-to-redevelop-site#commentsLatest NewsNewsJenna MartinFri, 20 Mar 2015 14:58:43 +0000Jenna Martin25120 at http://newstimes.augusta.comNorth Augusta could lose Kmart, gain new retailershttp://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-18/north-augusta-could-lose-kmart-gain-new-retailers
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</p><p>Metro Augusta could lose one of its last two Kmarts, if plans to demolish the North Augusta store on East Martintown Road progress.</p>
<p>North Augusta’s Planning and Development Department received a request by Toronto-based Slate Asset Management to redevelop North Augusta Plaza at 314 E. Martintown Road by replacing an existing Kmart with at least four new retailers. The Canadian company purchased the shopping center within the past six months, said Scott Sterling, director of the city’s Planning and Development Department.</p>
<p><a href="http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-18/north-augusta-could-lose-kmart-gain-new-retailers" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-18/north-augusta-could-lose-kmart-gain-new-retailers#commentsLatest NewsNewsJenna MartinChicago metropolitan areaCompany LocationCook County, IllinoisdirectorEconomy of the United StatesKmartKmartMartintownNorth Augusta KmartNorth Augusta PlazaNorth Augusta storePerson CareerPetsmartQuotationScott SterlingSears Holdings CorporationSlate Asset ManagementStaff WriterTechnologyTechnologyTorontoWed, 18 Mar 2015 19:30:54 +0000Jenna Martin25119 at http://newstimes.augusta.comDriver of logging truck killed in Appling wreckhttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-18/driver-of-logging-truck-killed-in-appling-wreck
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<p>A Lincoln County man is dead after the logging truck he was driving overturned this morning on on Ray Owens Road in Appling.</p>
<p>Columbia County Deputy Coroner Bonnie King identified the truck driver as William Joseph Young, 58, of Thomson Highway in Lincolnton, Ga. Young died at the scene of the wreck of blunt force trauma injuries, King said. He leaves behind a wife and several children in Lincoln County, King said.</p>
<p>Sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris said the wreck occurred at about 9:12 a.m., when the southbound truck left the road and overturned near Yelton Road.</p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-18/driver-of-logging-truck-killed-in-appling-wreck" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-18/driver-of-logging-truck-killed-in-appling-wreck#commentsLatest NewsFrom Staff ReportsCaptaindriverLoggingPerson CareerQuotationsheriffSteve MorrisTechnologyTruck drivertruck driverTrucksWed, 18 Mar 2015 15:47:35 +0000From Staff Reports25103 at http://newstimes.augusta.comCase continues against man accused of sex with teen http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-17/case-continues-against-man-accused-of-sex-with-teen
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</p><p>The case against an Augusta businessman accused of having sex with a teen will continue after a preliminary hearing Tuesday.</p>
<p>A Columbia County Magistrate judge ruled at the hearing that there is enough evidence against Randy Houston mercer, 57, to proceed with prosecution of the case in Superior Court. </p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-17/case-continues-against-man-accused-of-sex-with-teen" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-17/case-continues-against-man-accused-of-sex-with-teen#commentsLatest NewsValerie RowellTue, 17 Mar 2015 15:46:16 +0000Valerie Rowell25073 at http://newstimes.augusta.comHarlem drama coach resigns amid allegations of inappropriate textshttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-05/harlem-drama-coach-resigns-amid-allegations-of-inappropriate-texts
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</p><p>Harlem High School’s drama teacher resigned this morning amid allegations of “inappropriate texts” he had been exchanging with an 18-year-old female student, authorities said.</p>
<p>Columbia County sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris said that school officials called the sheriff’s office Wednesday to report the allegations against Dylan Bollinger, the drama coach for Harlem High since 2012.</p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-05/harlem-drama-coach-resigns-amid-allegations-of-inappropriate-texts" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-05/harlem-drama-coach-resigns-amid-allegations-of-inappropriate-texts#commentsLatest NewsSteve CrawfordThu, 05 Mar 2015 15:15:11 +0000Steve Crawford24976 at http://newstimes.augusta.comFox Creek picks Derrick Quinn to be new head football coach, ADhttp://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-04/fox-creek-picks-derrick-quinn-to-be-new-head-football-coach-ad
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<p>Fox Creek’s new football coach is a familiar face from one of the area’s best programs.</p>
<p>North Augusta defensive coordinator Derrick Quinn was officially introduced as Fox Creek’s new head football coach and athletic director at a Tuesday evening board meeting at the school.</p>
<p>“When the job came open, I just saw it as an opportunity to be a head football coach and athletic director,” Quinn said. “That’s one of my goals for my career. The opportunity was there and I tried to take advantage of it.”</p>
<p><a href="http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-04/fox-creek-picks-derrick-quinn-to-be-new-head-football-coach-ad" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-04/fox-creek-picks-derrick-quinn-to-be-new-head-football-coach-ad#commentsLatest NewsSportsWayne StaatsBusinessBusinesscoachcoach and athletic directorcoordinatorDerrick QuinnheadPerson CareerQuotationRussell SchneiderStaff WriterWed, 04 Mar 2015 20:46:15 +0000Wayne Staats24975 at http://newstimes.augusta.comS.C. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in Project Jackson appealhttp://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-04/sc-supreme-court-to-hear-oral-arguments-in-project-jackson-appeal
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</p><p>The South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to hear oral arguments in the appeal of North Au­gus­ta’s Project Jackson development could threaten the planned opening of a new ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets next year.</p>
<p>The state’s highest court has scheduled oral arguments for the May term, according to the clerk of court’s office. The decision came after lawyers for North Augusta and appellant Stephen Donohue, a North Augusta homeowner who opposes the location for the stadium, filed written briefs.</p>
<p><a href="http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-04/sc-supreme-court-to-hear-oral-arguments-in-project-jackson-appeal" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-04/sc-supreme-court-to-hear-oral-arguments-in-project-jackson-appeal#commentsLatest NewsNewsMeg MirshakAppealattorneyBriefBusinessBusinessclerkGovernmentHospitalityHospitalityKelly ZierLawLawPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticsQuotationSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina Supreme CourtStaff WriterState supreme courtStephen DonohueSupreme CourtSupreme Court of CanadaSupreme Court of the United StatesTechnologyTechnologyTodd GloverUN CourtWed, 04 Mar 2015 20:45:46 +0000Meg Mirshak24974 at http://newstimes.augusta.comAuthorities looking for check fraud suspectshttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-25/authorities-looking-for-check-fraud-suspects
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<p>Authorities are trying to identify two women they say cashed fraudulent checks earlier this month.</p>
<p>The two women cashed fraudulent checks on Feb. 5 at a bank of Furys Ferry Road in Martinez, according to Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Krista Johnson. They were seen traveling in a white SUV possibly a Dodge Durango.</p>
<p>One of the women has several piercings on her face and might be from the Atlanta area.</p>
<p>Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of either of the women should call Johnson at (706) 541-4021.</p>
http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-25/authorities-looking-for-check-fraud-suspects#commentsLatest NewsValerie RowellbankBankingBusinessCheque fraudContact DetailsDeceptionEthicsFraudKrista JohnsonLawNon-sufficient fundsPerson CareerStaff WriterWed, 25 Feb 2015 19:50:54 +0000Valerie Rowell24907 at http://newstimes.augusta.comSon arrested for assaulting father with golf clubhttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-25/son-arrested-for-assaulting-father-with-golf-club
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</p><p>A Grovetown man who told authorities his son had attacked him was hospitalized Feb. 24. </p>
<p>Nathaniel Jackson, 48, was taken to the hospital Tuesday evening with a severe head injury, according to Columbia County sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris. </p>
<p>His son, Alexander Lee Jackson, 21, who lives with his father, was charged with aggravated assault.</p>
<p>Authorities were called to the Jacksons’ Baldwin Lakes Drive home by the alarm company, Morris said. </p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-25/son-arrested-for-assaulting-father-with-golf-club" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-25/son-arrested-for-assaulting-father-with-golf-club#commentsLatest NewsValerie RowellWed, 25 Feb 2015 15:22:17 +0000Valerie Rowell24906 at http://newstimes.augusta.comWife accused of stealing $400,000 from husband's firmhttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-18/wife-accused-of-stealing-400000-from-husbands-firm
<p>The estranged wife of a Columbia County builder was in sheriff’s custody Tuesday, accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from her husband’s business over several years.</p>
<p>Heather Singleton Boggus, 35, was arrested Saturday by police in Thomasville, Ga. on a warrant accusing her of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, according to Columbia County sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris.</p>
<p>Morris said Boggus was booked into the Columbia County jail Tuesday night. No bond had been set.</p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-18/wife-accused-of-stealing-400000-from-husbands-firm" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-18/wife-accused-of-stealing-400000-from-husbands-firm#commentsLatest NewsNewsSteve CrawfordArrestCaptainColumbia County jail TuesdayCompany FoundedCounty SheriffEmployment RelationFamily RelationGovernmentHeather Singleton BoggusJBC Construction LLCJerome "Jeb" Boggus Jr.Jim TrotterLawLawLaw enforcement in the United StatesLocal government in the United StatesPerson AttributesPerson CareerPerson RelationQuotationsheriffSheriffSheriffs in the United StatesSteve MorrisThomasvilleUSDWed, 18 Feb 2015 14:33:04 +0000Steve Crawford24835 at http://newstimes.augusta.comPolice Blotterhttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-18/police-blotter-feb-18-2015
<p><em>The following accounts were taken from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office incident reports:</em></p>
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<p>Man sleeping in another’s car</p>
<p>A Grovetown teen was arrested early Saturday after a deputy found him inside another man’s vehicle.</p>
<p>The deputy was on a concentrated patrol on Sylvan Lake Drive near Grovetown at about 2:10 a.m. when he saw the light on inside a Jeep Wrangler parked in a driveway.</p>
<p>He saw a man, later identified as Morgan Smith, 19, of Sterling Bridge Road, inside the Jeep with the passenger door open.</p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-18/police-blotter-feb-18-2015" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-18/police-blotter-feb-18-2015#commentsLatest NewsNewsWed, 18 Feb 2015 05:25:39 +0000Staff24825 at http://newstimes.augusta.comResidential bomb threat clearedhttp://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-13/authorites-investigating-residential-bomb-threat
<p>Authorities lifted the soft lockdown on schools near William Few Parkway after securing a nearby home involved in a bomb threat.</p>
<p>Grovetown High, Columbia Middle and Baker Place Elementary schools were placed on soft lockdown early Friday afternoon.</p>
<p>Just after noon, a man called 911 claiming he’d blow up his own house on Sweet Meadow Drive is he wasn’t given $10,000 before an undisclosed deadline, according to police scanner traffic. The man has called 911 dispatchers “counting down the minutes.”</p>
<p><a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-13/authorites-investigating-residential-bomb-threat" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-02-13/authorites-investigating-residential-bomb-threat#commentsLatest NewsValerie RowellBombBusinessCrimeDispatcherLaw enforcementLockdownPerson CareerSheriffs in the United StatesStaff WriterWilliam FewFri, 13 Feb 2015 18:18:20 +0000Valerie Rowell24761 at http://newstimes.augusta.comFox Creek coach resigns to focus on healthhttp://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-26/fox-creek-coach-resigns-to-focus-on-health
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<p>Fox Creek football coach Russell Schneider has resigned to focus on his health.</p>
<p>Schneider said through text messages he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation nearly a year ago, meaning he deals with an abnormal heart rhythm. Along with getting procedures, Schneider hopes lowering stress would also benefit his health.</p>
<p>This past season, Schneider led the Predators to their first region title, going 7-4 and losing by only one point in the first round of the South Carolina High School League Class A, Division I state playoffs.</p>
<p><a href="http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-26/fox-creek-coach-resigns-to-focus-on-health" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-26/fox-creek-coach-resigns-to-focus-on-health#commentsLatest NewsSportsWayne StaatsMon, 26 Jan 2015 20:48:11 +0000Wayne Staats24572 at http://newstimes.augusta.comAiken school superintendent will retire July 31http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-14/aiken-school-superintendent-will-retire-july-31
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</p><p>The Aiken County School Board will soon begin the search for its next superintendent.</p>
<p>Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Everitt announced last week that she will retire July 31 because of “family obligations.”</p>
<p><a href="http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-14/aiken-school-superintendent-will-retire-july-31" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://natoday.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-14/aiken-school-superintendent-will-retire-july-31#commentsLatest NewsSchoolsNikasha DicksWed, 14 Jan 2015 18:34:39 +0000Nikasha Dicks24463 at http://newstimes.augusta.com